BOX SCORE
HAYS, Kan. - Kendahl Fisher's goal in the 75th minute propelled Southwest Minnesota State to a 1-0 victory over Fort Hays State in SMSU's 2013 season opener.

It took until the 75th minute for SMSU to get a shot on goal as Alex Pantze's header was collected by goalkeeper Nicole Barnaber. Just 45 seconds later, Megan Kilroy found Kendahl Fisher who placed a goal in the bottom corner of the net for SMSU's first goal of the 2013 season and what proved to be the game-winning goal. With 15 minutes left to play and SMSU hanging onto a 1-0 lead, the Mustang defense and goalkeeper Brienna Dehkes held firm and recorded the first shutout and victory of the season. Five of SMSU's seven wins last season came via the shutout variety.

Dehkes made her first career start in goal and the true freshman collected eight saves en route to her first career win and shutout in a Mustang uniform.

Fort Hays State finished with 11 shots but couldn't find the back of the net. It was a strong season-opening performance for head coach TJ Buchholz's young squad as the Mustangs defeated a Fort Hays State team that finished the 2012 season 14-7-1 and punched its first-ever NCAA Tournament ticket. The Tigers won the 2012 MIAA Conference Tournament as the No. 6 seed but fell in the opening round to Central Oklahoma.

SMSU has now won two straight season openers -- The Mustangs defeated Nebraska-Kearney 3-0 at home to open the 2012 season. It marks the first time in program history that SMSU has won two straight season openers.

SMSU will take a day off to travel before returning to action on Sunday with a road matchup versus Nebraska-Kearney. The game will be played at Ron & Carol Cope Stadium at Foster Field and is slated for a 1 p.m. start.